Andrew Thomas Barstow

1873 Templeton Lane

Virginia Beach, VA 23454
April 27, 2016
Judges, Senior Project Board
First Colonial High School
1272 First Colonial Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
Dear Judges:
As my senior year quickly draws to a close, I look back on my four
years here at First Colonial High School and Im proud of the person
Ive become as a result of being a student in the Legal Studies
Academy.
As an 8th grader, I applied to and was accepted into the Legal Studies Academy.
During my four years in LSA Ive been fortunate to take classes with teachers
who have challenged me and set the bar high. I experienced AP and Legal
Studies classes, giving me a wider perspective on topics such as government
and ethics, and challenging me to think outside the box. In addition, I was able
to complete an unpaid internship with a local law firm and Ill be graduating
with over 200 hours of community service. As a result, I was able to get into
the college of my dreams, Virginia Tech.
Where my teachers prepared me academically, my participation in athletics
has also left me with a great sense of accomplishment. After playing three
varsity sports, I discovered what it feels like to have to really work to earn
something. Whether thats a spot on the team or a state tournament, I had to
work for it. Its been a goal of mine to swim at the state championship meet
at least once in my swim career, and the relay teams I was on my senior year
were my best chance. By swimming harder and smarter, I was able to drop
time to ensure my spot on two state relay teams. A first for me this year was
running cross-country, it was the first time I was able to compete with my
younger brother in a high school sport and we were both able to qualify for
the conference championship meet. In both cases, we didnt advance to the
finals or finish in the top 10, but we went and we competed. My goal was to
train to the best of my ability and compete. I have been a member of the
varsity soccer team for 3 years now and was named a captain for my senior
year. I believe that the leadership skills have helped me achieve this honor.

In August 2014 I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. It was the start of my
junior year and the beginning of my club soccer season. Being able to return
to the playing field and pool and train and compete in a demanding
environment was what I believe was the key factor in dealing with my
diagnosis. Going to practice every day and giving 110% is what kept me
focused mentally and was paramount in managing my diabetes.
It was my diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes that influenced my decision
to choose stem cell research as the topic for my senior project. I
learned a lot in the process, I reached out to my contacts in the Type 1
community through JDRF and the Chesapeake Premier Soccer store to
assist with my project. I was pleasantly surprised that they were so
willing to support me in completing my project. I gained the
experience of coordinating and supervising a special event to raise
awareness about a topic I am so passionate about. I now know that
you can never be too organized and that there is always room for
improvement. As I go forward, Id like to be an active volunteer in the
Type 1 community, and the experience with my senior project has
helped to prepare me for other fundraising events.
For my project, I put on a soccer tennis tournament paired with a
speaker from the JDRF to explain what the JDRF does to help people
diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes as well as what they were doing with
stem cell treatments. Although I thought I wouldve attracted a few
more participants, I was very pleased with how the event went. I
answered all kinds of questions about Type 1 and stem cell research as
did my speaker.
I could not have asked to be part of a better community of people; I dont think any
environment would have pushed me harder to become the person I am. I didnt
learn who I was through laziness and complacency, but through hard work and
dedication. I thank the teachers, staff and coaches Ive worked with at FCHS for
helping me discover my potential and look forward to carrying those life skills with
me to Blacksburg in the fall.